NOT even the Mauretania's maiden voyage was as hair-raising as its latest journey.

NOT even the Mauretania's maiden voyage was as hair-raising as its latest journey.

The 65-year-old cruise liner - or rather a 4m model of it - dangled precariously froma crane before being lowered on to scaffolding two storeys high.

Only then could it be carefully moved through a gaping window space and into Liverpool's Maritime Museum.

The model of the Mauretania is one of the star attractions at a new exhibition about the golden age of liner travel, entitled Liverpool To New York - The Only Way To Cross.

When it was built at Birkenhead's Cammell Laird shipyard in 1939, the Mauretania was one of the most luxurious members of the prestigious Cunard and White Star lines.

It departed on its maiden voyage from Liverpool and retained strong links with the city throughout its 26-year service.

The model of the Mauretania has been loaned to the city by the National Maritime Museum in London, but was far too large to fit through the usual entrances to the Albert Dock attraction.

Instead, a second-floor window was removed so it could be taken directly into the exhibition room by crane.

Its progress was only briefly held up when workers realised they needed special permission to erect scaffolding alongside the museum, on to which the crate containing the model was then lowered.

It will now go on show alongside original artefacts and equipment from other liners, such as the Queen Mary, and digital displays giving visitors a taste of life on board ship.

The exhibition, part of this year's Sea Liverpool theme, is broken up into six sections each relating to the six days passengers would spend on board between Liverpool and New York, so people can experience each stage of the journey for themselves.

Until the 1960s, the only way to cross the Atlantic was by ship, and both Cunard and White Star were based in Liverpool.

Museum curator Dr Alan Scarth said: "The sheer scale and audacity of the ocean liners is stunning to the airline generation. If you never has the chance to experience the voyage yourself, then this exhibition is the next best thing."

The display runs from January 28 to August 14. For details, call 0151-478 4499.